Refuse-collecting vehicle including pick-up means

ABSTRACT

For the collection of refuse from a plurality of accumulation locations there is provided a vehicle having a collection and storage chamber and pick-up means which picks up refuse from an accumulation location and delivers same to said chamber. Said pick-up means comprises a laterally swingable and longitudinally adjustable tube pivotally mounted at one end of the vehicle for swinging from side to side as required and arranged for communication with said chamber. The longitudinal adjustment of the tube may, for example, be by effecting telescoping of same or by providing a joint intermediate the ends thereof so that the free end thereof can move on said joint toward and away from the pivotal mounting of said tube. A control cab is positioned at the free end of said tube for positioning same in a predetermined positional relationship with an accumulation location. One preferred type thereof comprises a horizontally aligned hemispherical accumulation device and a matching receiver mounted near the forward end of said tube. Scoop means are provided for transferring refuse from within said accumulation device to said receiver and linkage is then provided for moving said receiver into the free end of said tube. Discharge means, which may comprise merely a reverse operation of said scoop means is provided for discharging said rubbish from said receiver into said tube. Successive discharges of refuse into said tube pushes same toward the pivotally mounted end thereof and thence into said chamber. Said chamber may be fixed to said vehicle or may, if desired, be made interchangeable therewith in order that a full chamber may be removed therefrom and an empty one introduced. The control cab above mentioned may also constitute the control cab of the vehicle or, if preferred, there may be provided separate control cabs for the vehicle and for the pick-up arm. Combined gate and compactor means may be provided between the pivotal mounting of said tube and the input opening of said chamber for compacting said refuse into said chamber.

United States Patent 1191 Ertl 1451 Feb. 4, 1975 REFUSE-COLLECTING VEHICLE INCLUDING PICK-UP MEANS [75] Inventor: Herbert Ertl, Starnberg, Germany [73] Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbII, Munich, Germany 22 Filed: May 18, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 361,511

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 20, 1972 Germany 2224870 [52] US Cl 214/302, 214/303, 214/310, 214/314 [51] Int. Cl 865i 3/02 [58] Field of Search 214/302, 303, 312, 313,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 721,743 3/1903 Richmond 302/28 2,624,478 1/1953 Kaplan 214/314 2,984,373 5/1961 Przybylski 214/132 3,235,314 2/1966 Schorer 302/59 3,243,123 3/1966 Inghram et al 182/2 3,329,290 7/1967 Lowery 182/2 3,466,857 9/1969 Gaul et a1. 214/518 3,613,915 10/1971 Vita 302/58 FQREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 675,567 7/1952 Great Britain 214/314 [57] ABSTRACT For the collection of refuse from a plurality of accumulation locations there is provided a vehicle having a collection and storage chamber and pick-up means which picks up refuse from an accumulation location and delivers same to said chamber. Said pick-up means comprises a laterally swingable and longitudinally adjustable tube pivotally mounted at one end of the vehicle for swinging from side to side as required and arranged for communication with said chamber. The longitudinal adjustment of the tube may, for example, be by effecting telescoping of same or by providing a joint intermediate the ends thereof so that the free end thereof can move on said joint toward and away from the pivotal mounting of said tube. A control cab is positioned at the free end of said tube for positioning same in a predetermined positional relationship with an accumulation location. One preferred type thereof comprises a horizontally aligned hemispherical accumulation device and a matching receiver mounted near the forward end of said tube. Scoop means are provided for transferring refuse from within said accumulation device to said receiver and linkage is then provided for moving said receiver into the free end of said tube. Discharge means, which may comprise merely a reverse operation of said scoop means is provided for discharging said rubbish from said receiver into said tube. Successive discharges of refuse into said tube pushes same toward the pivotally mounted end thereof and thence into said chamber. Said chamber may be fixed to said vehicle or may, if desired, be made interchangeable therewith in order that a full chamber may be removed therefrom and an empty one introduced.

The control cab above mentioned may also constitute the control cab of the vehicle or, if preferred, there may be provided separate control cabs for the vehicle and for the pick-up arm.

Combined gate and compactor means may be provided between the pivotal mounting of said tube and the input opening of said chamber for compacting said refuse into said chamber.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures FATEHTED FEB 41375 SHLU W 2 E'ATENTEU F55 4 SHEET 2 UF 2 REFUSE-COLLECTING VEHICLE INCLUDING PICK-UP MEANS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a refuse-collecting vehicle for emptying of household refuse cans or for receiving of refuse from such cans. The apparatus includes a refuse-transporting tube which ends in the loading zone of said vehicle, which can be swung laterally, wherein the free end is constructed for coupling with the refuse can to be emptied and which includes means for removing the refuse from the can.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A related refuse-collecting vehicle, including canemptying mechanism, is described and illustrated in German Gebrauchsmuster No. l,902,459. This mechanism provides means for moving the refuse from the can by air suction. This can, however, only be successful if suitable suction openings are provided in the refuse cans which, however, has the disadvantage that unpleasant odors from the refuse cans can be detected in the surrounding areas. It is also important to avoid such a disadvantageous result during removal of the refuse. Moreover the known mechanism makes annoying noises during the suction withdrawal of the refuse.

Furthermore it is known to collect the refuse from households in common container vehicles and to deliver the refuse to collecting places or to utilizing plants. Such refuse-collecting vehicles are manned with one driver and several loaders. While the driver moves the refuse-collecting vehicle from one collecting point to another, the loaders bring the individual refuse cans to the refuse-collecting vehicle and place same thereonto, or into, the filler mechanism which can be operated by a push button. The mechanism lifts the cans with a simultaneous rotation into an inclined position and conveys their contents to the inside of the refusecollecting vehicle through one or more stroke-like vibrating movements. After the mechanism has rotated the can again into the initial position, the can is returned by the loader to its original position. This operation is repeated for each can. As soon as the refusecollecting vehicle is fully loaded, it goes with its crew to the place of discharge.

The above-discussed operation is relatively uneconomical. For one, the personnel needed is very high, because in addition to the driver, from two to four loaders are usually needed; on the other hand, the relatively expensive refuse-collecting vehicle is used during its operation proportionally much too long solely for transport of the refuse. In addition the available working force of the loaders is not used during the transport periods. Further, it often happens that the refuse cans during unloading will be caused by the hydraulic cylinder which operates the mechanism to strike against the refuse chute and thereby create a considerable noise distrubance of the environment. Still further, during certain climatic conditions there may be considerable odor annoyance.

Thus, the basic purpose of the invention is to provide a refuse-collecting vehicle ofthe type mentioned above wherein the disadvantages above referred to are avoided. This purpose is attained by providing a control cabin at the free end of the refuse-transporting tube, from which the operator can supervise and handle on the spot the operation of emptying. This renders unnecessary the presence of the above-mentioned loaders because the driver is now capable, due to the invention, of operating the refuse-collecting vehicle completely on his own.

In order to increase the maneuverability of the refuse-collecting vehicle of the invention. the refusetransporting tube is in addition to its swingability arranged for telescopic adjustment in its longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the refuse-transporting tube can be provided with an intermediate joint with vertical po sitioned pivotal axis, which intermediate joint has the same purpose, namely, to render it possible to vary the radius of operation of the refuse-transporting tube. Under normal conditions, including traffic conditions. the refuse cans are usually located from three to five meters from the edge of the street and therefore from the side of the refuse vehicle. The variability of the radius of operation of the refuse-transporting tube of the invention results in a range of operation for the refusecollecting vehicle in which more refuse cans can be reached from any given stopping place of the refusecollecting vehicle.

Further the invention contemplates constructing the control cabin at the free end of the refuse-transporting tube as a glass-walled cabin. This has the advantage that the operator during movement toward the refuse can can avoid all existing obstacles such as parked vehicles and the like; on the other hand he will be able, due to the glass-walled cabin, to operate the refuse receiving mechanism to position same exactly above the refuse can which is to be emptied by the use of controls mounted therein. Still further according to the invention, it is possible to provide, in addition to a floor window for the glass-walled cabin, an aiming mechanism substantially in the form ofa mechanical feeler by means of which the operator can effect an exact coupling between the refuse-receiving mechanism and the refuse cans. Thereupon, the refuse is conveyed from the can through the transporting tube into the refuse container of the vehicle by means of further mechanism.

Since the refuse-transporting tube is in general swung in one plane above the refuse-collecting vehicle, the arm is positioned sufficiently high above the ground that most of the obstacles can be easily overcome with a maximum height of approximately 2.5 m. Moreover, to increase the safety of the apparatus, visual warning and/or collision contacts can be provided on the arm or on the cabin to prevent unintentional collisions and damage resultant therefrom.

The refuse-receiving mechanism which is used within the scope of the invention and which is provided at the free end of the transporting tube can be constructed in various ways. It can for example consist of a rotatable worm which under rotation about its longitudinal axis is moved longitudinally into the refuse can. This requires, however, that the refuse can be constructed cylindrically so that upon withdrawal of the worm with the refuse there is obtained the maximum possible emptying of the can.

A further possibility of refuse removal from the can consists in the following combination:

The can is flat with semicircular, troughlike cross section. An intermediate container which can be placed onto the can and which is basically a mirror image thereof is provided with a closure which is rotatable about the central axis so that after mounting the intermediate container on the can and rotation of the closure through 180 the content of the can can be transferred into the intermediate container. The intermediate container is secured on a movable arm so that it can deliver its content to the transporting tube. The latter can be accomplished in the same manner as that by which the refuse is delivered into the intermediate container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of the refuse-collecting vehicle of the invention are set forth in the following-described drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the refuse-collecting vehicle of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a top view,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the subject matter of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a closure arranged in the rear of the vehicle, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a joint for the transport tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The refusecollecting vehicle 1 according to FIG. I has a refuse-transporting tube 2, the cross section of which, as can be seen from FIG. 3, can for example be rectangular. The refuse-transporting tube 2 is supported pivotally at the rear, upper end of the refusecollectirig vehicle I, for example by a swivel joint 3, so that it can be swung in a horizontal plane directly above the refuse-collecting vehicle 1. The rectangular cross section of the refuse-transporting tube changes in its rear zone 4 progressively into a circular cross section and the refuse-transporting tube 2 is also in the zone 4 bent downwardly as shown. The refuse-transporting tube 2 can according to FIG. 2 be swing positively or otherwise as desired; for example, FIG. 2 shows a driving pinion 25 which is connected to a corresponding driving gear 27 through a chain 26.

The swinging capacity of the refuse-transporting tube 2 in both directions of the arrow 5 about the pivot point 6 can clearly be seen from FIG. 2. The refusetransporting tube 2 is connected, according to the in vention, at the zone 7 of its free end supportingly to a control cabin 8 which is preferably a glass-walled cabin and has controls 8A therein for controlling the movement of the tube 2. As further shown in FIG. 2, the refuse-transporting tube 2 is constructed, aside from its swingability, adjustably in its longitudinal direction corresponding to the arrow 9, by which the radius of operation of the refuse-collecting vehicle I can be adapted quickly to individual conditions.

The same objective can be met by providing a joint with a vertical hinge axis approximately in the center of the refuse-transporting tube 2. In this manner the refuse-transporting tube 2 will fold and thus as a matter of geometry its radius of operation can vary as desired between half of its length and its full length.

The longitudinally movable part of the refusetransporting tube 2 has the reference numeral III. This part I0, according to FIGS. 1 and 2, is both operationally and mechanically connected to the fixed part 12 of the refuse-transporting tube through an actuator 11. In addition to effecting longitudinal adjustability of the refuse-transporting tube 2, the actuator I I can also act to transport the refuse in the refuse-transporting tube 2 toward the loading zone of the refuse-collecting vehicle l in that for example when the mouth of the refusetransporting tube 2 is closed its part 10 is retracted into the part 12 which is fixedly connected to the vehicle.

In addition to the glass-walled cabin 8, any suitable device for receiving the refuse from the can can be provided at the free end of the refuse-transporting tube 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the invention suggests in particular the use of a trough-like can I3 which has in its upper part an interior space I4 in the form ofa generally horizontal semi-cylinder, which interior space 14 can be closed by a lid or cover. Such a can may be cast of concrete. It can be installed at a later date in existing dwelling units or in the case of new buildings it can be fitted decoratively into the entire arrangement.

To empty the can 13, the refuse'collecting vehicle I of the invention has at the front end of its refusetransporting tube 2 adjacent the glass-walled cabin 8 an intermediate container 15 which with respect to its shape is the counterpart of the interior space 14 of the can I3. Further, the intermediate container I5 is provided with a closure 16 which is constructed rotatably about the axis I7. The intermediate container I5 is connected to an arm I9 through a universal joint 22 so that the container 15 can be coupled for holding in the desired manner with the can 13 either by internal means or under externally applied force. Then, following an exact placing of the intermediate container I5 onto the can 13, the closure I6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow I8 through the refuse is swept from the can into the intermediate container and is then subsequently conducted into the refusetransporting tube 2. This latter is effected by the arm I9 which is advantageously a hydraulic cylinder. The semi-cylindrical bottom portion of the opening in can 13 may be at the top (as seen in FIG. I) which requires only one pass of the sweeping plate or closure plate, 16, to fully empty the can I3. Or it may be at the bottom of can 13 which would require more than one pass of the plate I6 to fully empty the can I3. To empty the intermediate container 15, the arm 19 is swung in the direction of the arrow 20 into the horizontal plane so that it comes to rest longitudinally of the refusetransporting tube 2. Now the intermediate container 15 can be moved into the refuse-transporting tube 2 and its content can be delivered to the tube 2 by rotation of the closure I6 for a further 180. Thus, the closure, 16 serves together with the intermediate container I5 as a thrust piston because it pushes the rubbish in the tube 2 as far as possible toward the receiving receptacle of the refuse-collecting vehicle I. In the rearmost position of this operation a slide plate 23 which is operated by any convenient actuator 24 is pushed laterally through the refuse-transportation tube 2 directly in front ofthe closure I6. The closure I6 is thereby freed of any possible refuse residues and the refusetransporting tube 2 is closed. After the intermediate container 15 has been moved back into its initial position, the operation can be repeated.

The closure 16 of the intermediate container 15 is advantageously provided with elastic means on its peripheral edges, which elastic means presses against the inner surface of the refuse can 13 and thereby effects during rotation a thorough emptying of the can.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the refuse-collecting vehicle l of the invention may be equipped with an exchangeable loading container 2!. This makes it possible to separate the fields of work. namely, "refuse collection and "refuse transport," from each other. in order to use most efficiently the refuse-collecting vehicle during the greater part of its period of use, appropriate refuse-collecting depots may be provided near the area of work at which the filled loading containers 21 can be exchanged easily and quickly for empty containers. For this purpose, the loading containers 2] are advantageously suspended on rails 37 in the vehicle 1 so that they can easily be moved out laterally from the vehicle and can be replaced by empty loading containers.

As best shown in the right-hand portion of FIG. 1 and in FIG. 4, the refuse-transporting tube 2 discharges from its knee 4 to a passageway 38 which is fixed with respect to the vehicle. The same is arranged for closing by a closure 29. An actuator 30 can be provided for the remote control of the closure 29. From this passageway 38 the refuse moves when the closure 29 is open into a chute 31 from where it is conveyed into the refuseloading container 2! by a closure 28 which is mounted pivotably about the axis 32. The closure 28 can be operated by an actuator 34 through a lever 33 about the axis 32 as required to receive the refuse moving through the refuse-transporting tube 2. The two actuators 30 and 34 must be adjusted when in use in such a manner with respect to one another that during the pivoting of the closure 28 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the passageway 38 is covered by the closure 29.

To widen the field of use of the inventive refusecollecting vehicle I for example for receiving loose bulky refuse or for manually emptying conventional refuse cans 36 according to FIG. 1 the closure 28 can be swung further downwardly so that the chute 31 presents an opening at the rear of the vehicle. To mechanically assist the emptying of the cans 36, a selfpositioning platform device 35 can be provided on the closure 28.

Further by swinging the closure 28 in the direction of the arrow 39, a compaction of the refuse in the loading container 21 can be obtained as soon as the container reached a certain degree of fill.

In view of the possibility of carrying out the required functions for suggested refuse-collecting vehicle always from a single location by pneumatic or hydraulic means, it is apparent that all operations can be easily controlled from the cabin 8.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to provide in the cabin 8 the operating and steering mechanism 40 for the vehicle I in addition to the control mechanisms above mentioned. Of course to permit swinging of the refuse-transporting tube 2, the vehiclesteering mechanism must include appropriate separable coupling means 41 between cabin and vehicle.

Instead of the removable loading container 21 the refuse-collecting vehicle 1 can for example also be provided with a fixed loading container which is so constructed that it can be unloaded at a suitable location by any conventional quick unloading mechanism.

Finally it may be advantageous to construct in the refuse-collecting vehicle I the driver cabin and the operator cabin completely separate. This simplifies the technical requirements with respect to the vehicle operation. Purely structurally, however, one should in this case note that the two cabins should be positioned one above the other so that the refuse-transporting tube in any case may be swing to both sides of the vehicle.

The various actuation and control means for the parts above identified can be any of many conventional and presently known devices and hence are not shown in detail. For example, the controls for the cylinders ll, 30 and 34 are any conventional hydraulic controls operable from the cab 8. The movements of arm 19, the adjustment of the intermediate container 15 on the ball joint 22 and the actuation of the closure 16 with respect to the intermediate container 15. both in its loading and unloading condition, may all be any of several conventional types of actuating devices as desired. whether motors or cylinders and whether hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical and same are accordingly not illustrated. It will be understood, however. that all thereof are controllable from the cab 8 of the vehicle in any conventional manner as desired.

In conclusion it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the example illustrated in the drawings. Especially the use of separate cabins as above suggested permits many further desirable arrangements by for example arranging the operator cabin remotely as convenient from the driver cabin.

Further it is possible to use the subject matter of the invention for other than the mentioned purpose. Thus it is for example conceivable that the refuse-collecting vehicle of the invention could also be used with suit able modifications, in forming or for example during sewer cleaning operations.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed above for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that variations or modifications thereof which lie within the scope of the appended claims are fully contemplated.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A refuse-collecting vehicle for emptying household refuse containers and for receiving refuse therefrom, said vehicle having steerable wheels, comprising:

means defining a refuse receiving chamber mounted on said vehicle;

boom means mounted on said vehicle and including refuse conveying means for conveying refuse into said refuse receiving chamber and support means therefor including means defining a vertical hinge axis for supporting said boom means at one end for pivotal movement relative to said vehicle about said vertical axis;

attachment means mounted on said free end of said boom means for engaging a refuse container; sweeping means mounted on said attachment means for removing refuse from said refuse container and delivering same to said refuse conveying means whereby refuse is first swept out of said refuse container into said attachment means and subsequently swept into said conveying means; and means defining a control cabin enclosed on all sides, top and bottom and having transparent panel means, said control cabin having boom control means mounted therein, said control cabin being mounted on said free end of said boom means for movement therewith and for facilitating a close supervision through said transparent panel means of the placement of said attachment means to permit an operative engagement of said attachment means to said refuse container.

2. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 1 including means for supporting said boom means for telescopic longitudinal adjustment.

3. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim I, wherein said refuse conveying means has means defining an intermediate hinge joint intermediate the ends of said boom means having a vertical axis of rotation.

4. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 1. wherein said transparent panel means on said control cabin is glass.

5. A refuse-collecting vehicle for emptying household refuse containers or for receiving refuse therefrom. comprising:

means defining a refuse receiving chamber mounted on said vehicle; boom means mounted on said vehicle and support means therefor including means defining a vertical hinge axis for supporting said boom at one end for pivotal movement relative to said vehicle about said vertical axis; coupling means mounted on said free end of said boom means for coupling said free end of said boom means to a refuse container, said coupling means including means defining a split semicylindrical container having a closure thereon supported for rotatable movement with respect thereto about the longitudinal central axis of said split semi-cylindrical container means, said refuse container having a counterpart contour relative to said split semi-cylindrical container whereby after said split semi-cylindrical container has engaged said refuse container, a subsequent rotation of said closure through 180 will effect a movement of said refuse from said refuse container; refuse conveying means mounted on said boom means for conveying refuse from said refuse con tainer to said refuse receiving chamber; and

means defining a control cabin adjacent said free end of said boom means for facilitating a close supervision of the placement of said coupling means to permit a connection of said semi-cylindrical container to said refuse container.

6. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said first closure is provided with elastic means on its peripheral edges.

7. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 6,

wherein said arm includes pivot support means for pivotally supporting said arm for swinging movement about a horizontal axis at its place of attachment to said free end of said boom means about said axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof so that said semi-cylindrical container is movable to the free end of said elongated refuse-transporting tube and means supporting said semi-cylindrical container for movement into said refuse-transporting tube for emptying said semi-cylindrical container by further rotation of said closure therefor.

8. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 7. wherein said elongated refuse-transporting tube includes means defining a slide plate responsive to an actuator for closing the passageway from said refuse container to said refuse receiving chamber.

9. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said refuse-transporting tube terminates at the rear of said vehicle and communicates through means defining a fixed passageway into means defining a chute, means defining a second closure swingably mounted about an axis for movement back and forth by said actuator to effect a movement of said refuse in said chute means into said refuse receiving chamber.

10. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 9, including means defining another closure for closing said fixed passageway from communication with said refuse receiving chamber, said another closure means including a slide operable by an actuator.

H. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said refuse receiving chamber is removable from.said vehicle and easily exchangeable for another.

12. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim ll, wherein said another closure means is pivotally connected to said refuse receiving chamber.

13. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 5. wherein said refuse conveying means includes an elongated refuse transporting tube through which said refuse passes.

14. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 13, including means defining a universal joint on said split semi-cylindrical container and an arm connected at one end of said universal joint and at the other end to said free end of said boom means so that said split semicylindrical container can undergo a 360 swivel about the axis of said universal joint.

i l k 

1. A refuse-collecting vehicle for emptying household refuse containers and for receiving refuse therefrom, said vehicle having steerable wheels, comprising: means defining a refuse receiving chamber mounted on said vehicle; boom means mounted on said vehicle and including refuse conveying means for conveying refuse into said refuse receiving chamber and support means therefor including means defining a vertical hinge axis for supporting said boom means at one end for pivotal movement relative to said vehicle about said vertical axis; attachment means mounted on said free end of said boom means for engaging a refuse container; sweeping means mounted on said attachment means for removing refuse from said refuse container and delivering same to said refuse conveying means whereby refuse is first swept out of said refuse container into said attachment means and subsequently swept into said conveying means; and means defining a control cabin enclosed on all sides, top and bottom and having transparent panel means, said control cabin having boom control means mounted therein, said control cabin being mounted on said free end of said boom means for movement therewith and for facilitating a close supervision through said transparent panel means of the placement of said attachment means to permit an operative engagement of said attachment means to said refuse container.
 2. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 1 including means for supporting said boom means for telescopic longitudinal adjustment.
 3. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said refuse conveying means has means defining an intermediate hinge joint intermediate the ends of said boom means having a vertical axis of rotation.
 4. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said transparent panel means on said control cabin is glass.
 5. A refuse-collecting vehicle for emptying household refuse containers or for receiving refuse therefrom, comprising: means defining a refuse receiving chamber mounted on said vehicle; boom means mounted on said vehicle and support means theRefor including means defining a vertical hinge axis for supporting said boom at one end for pivotal movement relative to said vehicle about said vertical axis; coupling means mounted on said free end of said boom means for coupling said free end of said boom means to a refuse container, said coupling means including means defining a split semi-cylindrical container having a closure thereon supported for rotatable movement with respect thereto about the longitudinal central axis of said split semi-cylindrical container means, said refuse container having a counterpart contour relative to said split semi-cylindrical container whereby after said split semi-cylindrical container has engaged said refuse container, a subsequent rotation of said closure through 180* will effect a movement of said refuse from said refuse container; refuse conveying means mounted on said boom means for conveying refuse from said refuse container to said refuse receiving chamber; and means defining a control cabin adjacent said free end of said boom means for facilitating a close supervision of the placement of said coupling means to permit a connection of said semi-cylindrical container to said refuse container.
 6. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 5 wherein said first closure is provided with elastic means on its peripheral edges.
 7. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said arm includes pivot support means for pivotally supporting said arm for swinging movement about a horizontal axis at its place of attachment to said free end of said boom means about said axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof so that said semi-cylindrical container is movable to the free end of said elongated refuse-transporting tube and means supporting said semi-cylindrical container for movement into said refuse-transporting tube for emptying said semi-cylindrical container by further rotation of said closure therefor.
 8. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said elongated refuse-transporting tube includes means defining a slide plate responsive to an actuator for closing the passageway from said refuse container to said refuse receiving chamber.
 9. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said refuse-transporting tube terminates at the rear of said vehicle and communicates through means defining a fixed passageway into means defining a chute, means defining a second closure swingably mounted about an axis for movement back and forth by said actuator to effect a movement of said refuse in said chute means into said refuse receiving chamber.
 10. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 9, including means defining another closure for closing said fixed passageway from communication with said refuse receiving chamber, said another closure means including a slide operable by an actuator.
 11. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said refuse receiving chamber is removable from said vehicle and easily exchangeable for another.
 12. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said another closure means is pivotally connected to said refuse receiving chamber.
 13. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said refuse conveying means includes an elongated refuse transporting tube through which said refuse passes.
 14. A refuse-collecting vehicle according to claim 13, including means defining a universal joint on said split semi-cylindrical container and an arm connected at one end of said universal joint and at the other end to said free end of said boom means so that said split semi-cylindrical container can undergo a 360* swivel about the axis of said universal joint. 